Young Millionaires: Class of 2004Think it's nearly impossible to become a multimillionaire before you're 40? Meet 23 young entrepreneurs who did just that--and learn the inside secrets to their success.
Duwop
Company description:Manufacturer of specialty makeup and body creams
创始人:Christina Bartolucci, 39, and Laura DeLuisa, 37
Location:Glendale, California
Projected 2004 sales:$5 million
Behind the Scenes:Cristina Bartolucci and Laura DeLuisa met and found their inspiration in the trenches, doing makeup and hair on movie sets. "An actress would come in [with puffy eyes] in the morning and have to look perfect at 7 a.m.," says Bartolucci. "We would pack [her] eyes with gauze soaked with ice water, which was uncomfortable and messy." To solve the problem, the pair invented their first product, I gels, in 1999. Today, signature products like Lip Venom lip gloss and Revolotion body makeup are popular with fans including Jennifer Aniston and Kelly Ripa.
Loose Lips:"When [we] first started the company, I was doing graphics in a copy store, and this kid came up to me and said, 'DuWop? What a great name. Is it registered?' I said, 'I don't think so,' and he said, 'Let me register it for you,'" says Bartolucci. "In front of me, in the store, he went online and registered, and stole our name. It took us three years and a lawsuit to get it back. So now, no matter how excited I am, I take a deep breath and think 'Is silence the best response here?'"
